WHAT IS SUBMINIATURE PHOTOGRAPHY?

In a nutshell, subminiature photography is an attempt to get the most camera
into the least camera. In other words, getting cameras as small as
possible. The camera below, for example, is the same diameter as a
quarter.

Why would someone want a camera this small? Some people want small
cameras so that they can always have a camera with them. Others want
small cameras so that they can take pictures without anyone knowing that
a picture is being taken.

But making cameras smaller has its price. Something has to "give".
Usually, smaller cameras have fewer features, such as no automatic
focusing, no automatic exposure and no built-in flash. In addition,
smaller cameras usually mean smaller negatives and more grain in the resulting
prints. Last, but not least, smaller cameras often mean higher production
costs, due to the miniaturization of the parts. But for submini enthusiasts
it's all worth it!

There are many definitions of the term
"subminiature". The traditional definition is "any format smaller
than the standard miniature format" -- hence the name "sub-miniature" or
submini. The "miniature" format is actually the standard 35mm format
-- 24mm x 36mm -- so the most liberal definition of "subminiature" is any
camera that produces a format small than this. But this includes some
pretty large cameras. Many authors have defined the term more
conservatively. In their mind, the term "subminiature" should only
be applied to cameras, rather than formats. Any camera that attempts
to be smaller than a "standard" 35mm camera would qualify. But trying
to define what a "standard" 35mm camera-size is can be very difficult.

In other words, you can define "submini" any way you want -- but be prepared
to defend your position! For the purposes of this web site, a subminiature
camera is arbitrarily defined as any still camera that exclusively uses a
single film format smaller than 16.7mm x 30.2mm -- the size of the APS format.
This definition excludes stereo cameras (even if the film format is
smaller that APS), cameras with multiple formats (such as the Konica Autoreflex
which shoots full-frame and half-frame images), small full-frame 35mm cameras
(such as the Olympus XA and Rollei 35 series), cameras that can take still
and moving pictures (even though they use 16mm or 8mm film), all of the APS
format cameras, and other hybrids.

Lastly, keep in mind that there is no perfect submini camera or submini
format. Different photographers choose different formats and camera
styles -- for different reasons. Some opt for the smallest cameras,
while other prefer those with larger formats or more features. Others
just can't make up their minds and get a variety of submini cameras -- and
there are THOUSANDS to choose from! Just
like in all the other areas of photography, there are excellent quality submini
cameras that will produce excellent results, and there are poorly designed
or cheaply made cameras that will give less-than-stellar results. But much
depends on the photographer who is using the camera. Many submini
enthusiasts are collectors, as opposed to
users, and are less concerned with picture quailty
and more concerned with camera uniqueness.

We hope you enjoy your exploration of the subminiature photographic world.
At this web site you will find everything you need to understand, select,
find, use, repair, display AND ENJOY(!) your submini camera and results.
Happy Shooting.